Let me start by saying that I unequivocally reject morality dictated by any religious clergy. I see myself as a complete human with my own independent brain and ability to choose.
Religious governance through clergy may have served a purpose in establishing order and acceptable social norms as societies evolved, but that purpose is long gone. Some would argue the entire concept of religion is redundant. Perhaps! But more importantly, it is time for us to become independent thinkers and build a global society on a foundation of evidence and reason.
After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, significant political power and influence over Iran’s laws were established, creating the Islamic Republic of Iran. These changes had a complex impact on women’s lives, blending increased restrictions with progress and ongoing resistance.
I was a young girl when this upheaval occurred. I experienced first-hand the terror of transitioning from a forward moving society to one that told me to accept that I am half a man. One that told me, I shall burn in hell for eternity if a man saw one strand of my hair!
I once asked a scripture teacher, “what is the difference between a strand of my hair and that of a man?” She didn’t like that! I would not even be considered equal to Muslim women, because I was born in a Bahá’í family.
This is a list of some of the discriminatory laws women face under Islamic Republic:
Family law:
- Legal age of marriage for girls is 13 – approximately 10,000 marriages involved girls aged 10-14 in spring of 2021 because banks lifted age restriction on accessing marriage loans. The bulk of these marriages happen in poor areas.
- Polygamy and un-restricted number of temporary marriages is legal for men.
- Rights to divorce is incontestable for men.
- Child custody until age seven granted to mother then automatically granted to father. Any rights lost if a mother re-marries. This doesn’t apply to a father.
- Approval from a husband or a male guardian (father/paternal grandfather) is required for obtaining a passport and travelling abroad.
Criminal law:
- Sexual assault not criminalised as a distinct crime under Penal Code – rape is prosecutable as ‘illicit sexual relations’.
- Age for criminal responsibility for girls is nine vs 15 for boys. This has resulted in numerous death sentences carried out in child offenders.
- Legal testimony and rights to victim’s compensation are valued at half of a man’s.
- ‘Honour killings’ account for up to 450 cases annually (excluding other types of femicide) – laws exonerate perpetrators or reduce punishment, and official statements frequently encourage femicide by citing ‘morality’ laws.
Political and judicial positions:
- Islamic Republic ranked 181 of 193 countries in 2020 for women’s representation.
Employment:
- Women are primarily employed in informal sectors with minimal labour protections, despite 57 per cent of women having a university education.
- A husband can restrict his wife’s employment.
Sports and Culture:
- Restricted and controlled participation in sport.
- Singing is illegal for women – acceptable if in a choir or to an all-female audience.
Of course, this is not unique to the Islamic Republic. The Taliban have created an even more dire environment for future generations by banning education to 50 per cent of their population and prohibiting women from professions such as midwifery!
Based on Islamic Republic’s own estimation, there were up to 4 million Iranians living abroad in 2021. Recently, this exodus has reached alarming rates, especially among the young and educated, giving rise to ‘Iran’s brain drain’. The diaspora has braved wars, fortified borders and crossed oceans in leaky boats to become refugees, asylum seekers or choose self-exile rather than live under clerical rule.
The Islamic Republic is a parallel universe where even foreign visitors are imprisoned only to be used as bargaining chips to achieve political or diplomatic goals.
Regardless of whether there is influence by foreign powers that facilitate such regimes, the reality is that no external interference can create these monsters if the groundwork is not already in place.
During 1979 upheaval, Iranians chanted ‘Esteghlal Azadi Jomhori-eh Eslami’ which translates to ‘Independence, Liberty, Islamic Republic’. They were driven by the promise of living in a truly just society and saw the clergy as holy men who would rid society of ‘moral corruption’.
The clergy had been manipulating ordinary people long before 1979 revolution. They branded the vision of a modern Iran, where women enjoyed equal rights, as a corrupt ideology that needed to be quashed. They knew that empowered women would never allow their daughters to be reduced to vessels that produce foot soldiers for endless wars, or their national wealth to be squandered on hegemony and chaos, that only serves to extend the life of their captors.
Over four decades later, the clerics are confronted with a young generation that is no longer enslaved by their parents’ old beliefs. The clerical regime knows their demise is inevitable. They will not go quietly!
For us looking at women’s conditions in Iran and Afghanistan and current global upheavals, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless. However, I firmly believe justice and lasting peace is through intergenerational change which happens with empowering women and girls.
In 2024, UNSW Sydney established ‘Justice Inclusion Access’ or JEINA program. Founded by women with lived experience, JEINA works to empower women who have been forced to leave their homelands for any reason, to build a better future through higher education and professional development. We ask you to support us.
Feature image: Dr Parisa Glass.